spinn

What's the benefit in going with that setup vs normal 19 staggered tire size setup? Tirerack has the 245/35/19 and 275/30/19 continental DWS for about $950 shipped.

hx_guy

My thought behind it is getting a slightly bigger sidewall so the ride isn't as harsh...not to mention they are $150 cheaper.

The 275 on the rear just seems massive to me...that's close to 11" in width, doesn't really seem necessary for this an E320 and I imagine it can't help gas mileage either.

DuaneC63

Given that E classes have airmatic suspension, with the change from 18" to 19" wheels the comfort may not be much different to the driver because the airmatic is working harder with the 19" wheels (less side wall, less give in the tires). But do you really want your airmatic system to be working harder than it already does. They are prone to failure with very expensive repairs. I'd stick with manufacturer's specs on a airmatic car.

hx_guy

I don't have an aromatic suspension as far as I know, it's an option thing right...not standard.

spinn

personally, I try to stick as close to the recommended plus sizing for tires, so that it doesn't interfere with any of the car's onboard electronics (eg. traction control, torque, or speedometer). I'm not sure whether 1/4" difference in tire diameter will effect the ECU or not, but better safe than sorry. plus, if the main reason you're going with 19's is for the looks, why do it if you're not willing to go the whole 9 yards?

hx_guy

Well the preferred size around here seems to be 245/35-19 for the front and 275/30-19 for the rear...but on the rear, the 275/30-19 is actually 0.25" smaller than the stock tire. Not sure if most people know that but the correct size you should actually use is 285/30-19 which gives you a tire that is just 0.01" smaller than stock. That would be an 11.22" wide tire though that that seems crazy on a 9.5" rim...wouldn't that bubble out like crazy?

The best would probably be to do 245/35-19 on all four corners and run 19x8.5" rims all around. There's no reason for the rears to be wider...the stock 16s are the same all around. 245/35-19 are virtually the same diameter as the stock tires...25.74" vs 25.75".

spinn

I think it's as you pointed out, 285 is a little wide on a 9.5" rim, thus the move down to 275.

I'm just guessing, but maybe, due to a larger wheel and weight, you want the extra grip a wider tire will provide for a RWD car...thus the staggered setup. Maybe less so if you only have a V6 vs V8.

It's not the preferred size setup, but as long as you're achieving what you want, more power to you.

hx_guy

Yea I gotta see which way I'm going to go. The tire thread is getting low so I need new tires and it's the right time to get new wheels if I'm going to do it.

I'm still going back and forth between the 18s and 19s...and I just ran across these on eBay which I REALLY like how they look. They are 18s, which really is better for the car...I can get the correct tire diameter size all around and with tires, they will run about $320 cheaper.

Specs:
18x8
35mm offset
25lbs

What do you think?

djrabbi

please DO NOT get those....I have CLS AMG wheels if you want in 18s with tires.

hx_guy

LOL that literally made me laugh.

What do the CLS AMG wheels look like and what tires (brand and size).

djrabbi

245/40/18
275/35/18

All OEM specs...hankook winter tires...got to say, they are AWESOME!

hx_guy

****...I just did a quick search on Google for "CLS AMG wheels on E320" and it found these...19s of course but damn it looks good!

djrabbi

I have these too in 19s but in silver...